Disappearing bed.



C.- J. WELLS.

DISAPPEARING BED.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.2e. 1916.

1 ,27 1,8 1 4. Patented July 9, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

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C; J. WELLS.

DISAPPEARING BED.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.26. 191s.

Patented July 9, 1918 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

H; Imam: Pl-TEIls m, rnnrm 1nd)" WASNINGTUAL n 1cv CHIPMAIN' J. WELLS,OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

DISAPPEARING BED.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 9, 1918.

Application filed. August 26, 1916. Serial No. 117,110.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OHIPMAN J. WELLS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Long Beach, in the county of Los Angeles and State ofCalifornia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in DisappearingBeds, of which the following is a specification. o

My invention relates to disappearing beds for use in apartment buildingsand the like where economy in space is essential, and the primary objectis to provide a bed which may be suspended within one of the ordinarybed compartments when not in use and readily drawn out of thecompartment and supported in its extended position for use.

A further object is to provide means for hanging the bed in the closetor compartment in such a manner that when it is moved into or out ofoperating position the bed will at all times remain in a true horizontalposition, thus preventing the displacement of the mattress and bedclothing.

A further object is to provide means for locking the bed firmly inposition when extended for use and when entirely within the compartment,the locking means being automatically operated when the bed is moved toeither limit of action. Other objects may appear as the descriptionprogresses.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of my bed and thecompartment in which the same is located, partly in section. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section of the compartment with the bed and supports shownin elevation therein. Fig. 3 is a partial front elevation of the same.Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same with the bed shown suspendedto the lowest plane as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is anenlarged section of the track and hangers for the bed. Similarcharacters of-reference are used in the several views of the drawing andin the specification for indicating the same or similar parts.

The arrangement shown in the drawings includes a compartment 1 which isbuilt into and comprises the space beneath the seat 2 and the closet 3on the opposite side of the central wall 4 from the seat, and in size,

area and other respects is similar to the compartme'nts usually providedfor other types of disappearing beds. 7

A pair of angle iron tracks 5 is provided in the compartment 1 which maybe secured in a suitable manner to the floor f the closet 3 and thebottom 7 of the seat, or these tracks may be attached to and suspendedfrom suitable cleats, if necessary. The tracks 5 are parallel and eachtrack has a depending flange 8 with a pair of elongated slots 9 formedtherein with slightly enlarged ends 10, the forward and rear slots ineach of the tracks being opposite.

The bed 11 is composed of an angle iron frame 12 which is bent around toform the front and ends and the rear side is formed of a. similar pieceof angle iron 12 suitably secured to the member 12, the rear ends 13 ofthe member 12 being extended substantially beyond the member 12. Asshown in the drawings the bed 11 is arranged for sidewise movement intoand out of the compartment 1 but it is obvious that this arrangement maybe reversed according to necessity so that a lengthwise movement of thebed may be accomplished. Suitable ends 14 are provided on the bed whichmay be of any desirable form or character.

\Vhen the bed is in the proper position for use the frame members 12occupy positions below the tracks 5 and each of the ends 13 of the bedframe is supported on the tracks 5 by means of angle iron bars 15 whichare pivoted at opposite points on bolts or rivets 16 to the members 12and the upper ends of bars 15 are provided with double flanged rollers17 which may be inserted in the slots 9 through the enlarged portions 10thereof so that the portions of the rollers between the flanges willengage the edges of the slots. A similar pair of bars 18 are attached attheir lower ends by means of the bolts or rivets 19 to the member 12 atopposite points about midway betweenthe transverse, center line and therear side of the bed. The upper ends of the forward bars 18 have rollers20 which are similar to those on the rear bars and engage the forwardslots in the tracks. The rollers 17 and 20, as shown in Fig.5, arepivotallymounted on bolts 21 which are attached to the ends of the bars15 and 18.

Longitudinally disposed connecting bars 22 are provided on each end ofthe bed for connecting the bars 15 and 18 at points slightly.

are provided with a pair of outwardly 'ex tended studs 23 and 24 on eachend of the bed which are suitably threaded or other;-

wise suitably secured to the member 12 and are adapted to be engaged bythe forward and rear latches 25 and 26, respectively, which :are pivotedto the tracks 5 on bolts or rivets 27 and 28, respectively. The latches25 and 26 are limited in their downward movement by means of pins 29which are adapted to be engaged by lugs30 formed on the upper endsthereof, and the lower ends o'fthe latches are substantially wider thanstuds 23 and 24, in the upward movement of thebed 11, the latchesmay beraised by the studs sufficiently to permitthe seating of the studs inthe notches 31. It will also be observed that the forward latch 25 isnormally inclined toward the rear of the compartment 1 while the rearlatch is inclined in the opposite direction, to correspond to themovement of the bed When it is placed in g and out of operativeposition.

In Fig. 2 the bed is represented in full linesin its extended positionin readiness for use and in broken lines in its lowest position and inits innermost raised position where the bed will normally be supportedwhen out of use. Angle iron legs 34: are provided on the front side ofthe bed which are pivoted to the inner side of the member 1'2 on beltsorrivets 35 and are capable of being normally held folded against themembrane as shown in Fig. 4, 1, downwardly entended, as shown in Fig. 2,for supperting the front side of the bed when the same is extended foruse;

ln operation, the bed being in normal position in the compartment 1 andso held by meaas ofthe engagement'of the stud 2% with; the notch '31inthe latch 26, as shown in broken lines" in Fig. 2, may be released byaslight quick rearward moveme'nt of the bed which will raise, the latch26 so that the stud 2 1 will slide over the raised portion 33, and thebed being of reater weight, than the latch and being allowed to fall ofits ownaccord, will move the stud 24'by the notch 31 in the latchwithout permitting the same to seat in the notch, the lower end of thelatch then falling by gravit to its lowest position as determined by thepin 29 and the. 111g 30. The bed 11 may then be msvea forwardly on thetracks 5; the rollers 17 and 20 on the bars 15 and 18 moving in theslots 9 of the tracks until the ends of the slots are reached, when thebed will be suspended in the lowest forward position .as indicated inFig. 2. The bed may then be raised into the position shown in full linesinthis figure by a quick forward and up- "ward, movement, during whichn'iovei'nent deseribed, the front side being additionally supported bymeans of the legs 34:,

It will be understood that the bed when it is heldin the positiondescribed is supported against rtiovement in a manner similar to that ofa swing with the ropes or wires on each side of the seat crossed, thebars 15 and 18 preventing a further forward movement and the latchespreventing a backward move ment. Now, when it is desired to replace thebed in its normal position within the compartment '1, the bed may bereleased from the latches 25' by a quick forward and upward movement, ina manner similar to that in which it was released from therear latches26, the studs 23 (being disengaged fromthe notches 31 in the latches andthe bed fallil'ig by gravity to the lowest position shown. The bedinaythen be pushed backwardly into the compartment and raised into theposition shown in Fig. 2 when the studs 24: will be engaged by thenotches 31 on the latches 26. v

, An opening36 is provided in thefront of the compartment l to permitthe movement of the bed 11 therethro'ugh, anda suitable door or closure37 may be hinged to thebase 38 for closingthe opening when the bed isnot in use.

scope or departing from the spirit of my invention,-and I desire toclaim broadly on the principle of a suspended bed of the characterdescribed. q

Having thus described my invention, when lelaiinisz 1 A bed comprisingahori'zjontallyv disposed frame pivotally and slidably supportedformovement, guide means for regulating the direction of movement thereof,and locking means suspended from said guide means for sustaining saidframe in position at opposite extremes of movement.

2. A bed of the character described comprising fixed supports positionedabove the range of action of the bed, a frame carrying a bed, barsslidably and pivotally connecting said frame and supports for suspendingthe bed therebeneath, said frame being extensible horizontally andvertically from a normal plane to a plane substantially coincident withsaid supports for use, and members pivotally suspendedirom said supportsfor engagement with and for locking said frame at opposite extremes ofaction.

3. A bed of the character described comprising fixed supports, a framehaving members substantially in vertical alinement therewith,connections slidably and pivotally attached to said supports andpivotally attached to said frame at opposite points intermediate of thesides of said bed, additional connections from said supports attached tosaid frame at opposite points exterior of said bed, and means dependingfrom points above the frame for engagement therewith for supporting thesame at opposite extremes of action.

4. A bed comprising a longitudinally and pivotally movable frame,parallel supporting means therefor capable of sustaining said frame in atrue horizontal position at all times while stationary and during themovement thereof, and gravity actuated locking means for locking saidframe at selected points against movement.

5. A bed of the character described comprising fixed parallel supports,means depending therefrom for supporting-the bed, a bed frame pivotallyattached to said depending supports at opposite points intermediate ofthe sides and exterior of one side of said bed and latch means on saidfixed supports and engaging said frame for locking said bed at difierentextremes of movement.

6. A bed of the character described comprising fixed supports andslidably pivoted supports depending therefrom, a frame normally disposedbeneath said fixed supports and pivotally attached to said pivotedsupports, pivoted legs on the outer side of said frame andmeans on saidfixed supports engaging said frame for supporting said bed in horizontalposition.

7. A bed of the character described comprising a pair of fixed parallelsupports, a frame normally disposed therebeneath, members pivotallyattached to said supports and to said frame at opposite points forsuspending the frame in operating position, means for slidably attachingsaid members to said supports to permit the extension of said frame frombeneath said supports, and means for locking said frame at desiredpoints Within its range of action.

8. A bed of the character described, comprising a pair of fixedsupports, spaced members depending therefrom and pivotally and slidablyheld thereon, a bed frame having opposite parallel extensions from oneside and disposed beneath said supports, means for suspending said framefrom said depending members, said members being attached to said frameat points intermediate of the sides of and exterior of one side of saidbed, and means whereby the bed when closed beneath said supports or openand extended relative thereto may be supported in fixed stationaryrelation thereto.

9. A bed of the character described comprising fixed supports havingslidably and pivotally depending members, a frame attached to andsuspended on said depending members, said frame being normally closedand suspended beneath said supports and capable of extension outwardlytherefrom into a horizontal plane for use, and gravity actuated meansfor locking said frame at both extremes of action.

10. A bed of the character described comprising fixed supports providedWith depending and slidably disposed hanger members, a frame supportedon said hangers and extensible outwardly from said supports for use,gravity actuated members suspended in the path of said frame, and meanson said frame for engagement therewith, for locking said frame in openand closed position.

Signed at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State ofCalifornia, this 10th day of August, 1916.

GHIPMAN J. WELLS.

Witnesses:

E. W. TAYLOR, J. P. SPRoUL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

